Y-strainers are the most widely used pipeline strainer, their compact, inline design fits easily into piping systems and can be installed in both horizontal and vertical (downward flow) orientations. The angled screen provides effective filtration with moderate pressure drop.
AQ Process Systems sources and exports cast and forged Y-strainers in sizes from 1/4" to 24", pressure classes from 150 to 2500, with threaded, socket-weld, butt-weld, and flanged connections. Screen mesh from 20 to 400 mesh in stainless steel or Monel wire cloth.
Y-strainers are essential upstream of steam traps, control valves, pressure reducing valves, and any equipment sensitive to particulate contamination. We recommend perforated screen for coarse protection and wire mesh for fine filtration.
| Product | Specification | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cast Y-Strainers | ||
| Cast Steel Y-Strainers | 2", 24" | Class 150-600 | Flanged RF/RTJ | Standard cast body Y-strainers for pipeline installation, bolted screen cap, flanged connections. For steam, water, and process service. |
| Cast Iron Y-Strainers | 2", 12" | PN16-25 | Flanged | Cast iron Y-strainers for low-pressure water, HVAC, and utility service, economical pipeline protection. |
| Forged Y-Strainers | ||
| Forged Steel Y-Strainers | 1/4", 2" | Class 800/1500/2500 | Threaded, SW, BW | Small-bore forged Y-strainers for high-pressure instrument lines, trap stations, and process connections. |
| Stainless Steel Y-Strainers | 1/4", 2" | All-SS | Corrosive/clean service | Fully stainless steel Y-strainers for corrosive condensate, clean steam, food, and pharmaceutical applications. |
| Specialty | ||
| Blow-Off Y-Strainers | With integral blow-off valve | Self-cleaning | Y-strainers with integral blow-off connection allowing online cleaning without removing the screen, for dirty or high-debris service. |
Mesh size depends on what you are protecting. For steam traps: 80-100 mesh (0.18-0.15mm). For control valves: 40-60 mesh (0.42-0.25mm). For pumps: 20-40 mesh (0.84-0.42mm). For instruments: 100-200 mesh (0.15-0.074mm). We recommend the correct mesh based on your downstream equipment requirements.
Yes, but only with downward flow, so the screen pocket points downward and debris settles into it by gravity. In horizontal installation, the screen pocket should point downward. Y-strainers should never be installed with the screen pocket pointing upward, as debris would fall back into the pipeline when the screen is removed.
Clean Y-strainers have very low pressure drop, typically 0.1-0.5 bar depending on size, flow rate, and mesh. As debris accumulates, pressure drop increases. We recommend monitoring differential pressure and cleaning the screen when the drop reaches 0.5-1.0 bar (depending on the application's sensitivity to pressure loss).
Cleaning frequency depends on the debris level in the system. New installations require frequent cleaning (weekly or even daily during commissioning) as construction debris is flushed out. Established systems may only need cleaning quarterly or annually. Differential pressure gauges across the strainer indicate when cleaning is needed.
Yes. Blow-off Y-strainers have an integral valve on the screen cap that can be opened to flush debris without removing the screen or opening the strainer body. This is particularly useful in dirty service or where the strainer is in a location that makes screen removal difficult.
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